Wallet-type display of relative currency values

ABSTRACT

A folded, wallet-type display of relative currency values. The display involves the use of removably attachable currency strips whose position relative a window in the display can be changed to thereby reflect fluctuations in exchange rates. In a preferred form, logarithmic currency scales adjacent the display window and logarithmic currency scales on the movable currency strips permits currency conversion by direct visual comparisons between corresponding units of two different currencies.

United States Patent Wagner WALLET-TYPE DISPLAY OF RELATIVE CURRENCY VALUES [76] Inventor: John S. Wagner, 1925 Saunders Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55116 [22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 460,994

[52] US. Cl 40/63 R; 35/75; 235/89 R [51] Int. Cl. G09F 11/30 [58] Field of Search 35/19 A, 75, 31 E, 2, 24 R;

40/63 R; 235/89 R, 7O R, 70 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,689,685 9/1954 Giuntini 235/89 R 3,023,956 3/1962 Rondthaler 235/89 R 3,083,906 4/1963 Giuntini 235/89 R 3,685,727 8/1972 Brookes 235/70 R 3,760,165 9/1973 Marcks 235/89 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 350,864 6/1931 United Kingdom r. 235/89 R Primary Examiner-John H. Wolff [5 7 ABSTRACT A folded, wallet-type display of relative currency values. The display involves the use of removably attachable currency strips whose position relative a window in the display can be changed to thereby reflect fluctuations in exchange rates. In a preferred form, logarithmic currency scales adjacent the display window and logarithmic currency scales on the movable currency strips permits currency conversion by direct visual comparisons between corresponding units of two different currencies.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 3,914,889

F/Q/ x7512 IIIIIIH YEN IURRENC l lllllllllll LN 5 s YEN YEN I YE CO MMON CONS llLlllilll llll llll IJAPANESE YEN H00 SEN WALLET-TYPE DISPLAY OF RELATIVE CURRENCY VALUES BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION In recent years, the extent of foreign travel has increased significantly. Since each country has its own currency, which is ordinarily different from that of other countries, the traveler is faced with the problem of having to convert his own currency into the currency of the country in which he finds himself. The rate of exchange between various currencies is not constant and in recent years has fluctuated, sometimes very rapidly. It therefore becomes quite important for a traveler to have some convenient means for reminding himself of current exchange rates and, more preferably, to convert from a price or other amount in one currency to the equivalent amount in a different currency.

In years past, when currency exchange rates were relatively stable, it was convenient to prepare printed tables, books or the like showing relative currency values. However, as previously noted, currency exchange rates have become more volatile and travelers in recent years have often been confronted with significant changes in exchange rates in the course of their travels.

A variety of devices have been patented for allowing the conversion from one currency to another. Illustrative of such prior art devices are those shown in the following patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 2,684,202, R. Giuntini, July 20, 1954;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,023,956, E. Rondthaler, Mar. 6, 1962;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,885, J. Miklas, Mar. 11, 1969;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,165, Frederick C. Marcks, Sept. 18, 1973;

U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,795, Capron R. Gulbransen, Jr., Mar. 5, 1974.

For the most part, devices of the type illustrated above are based upon a slide rule concept. Many such devices are relatively expensive to manufacture and, accordingly, must sell for several dollars or more.

At the present time, there is a need for a simple, inexpensive, display for relative currency values that can be used under conditions of fluctuating exchange rates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a simple device for displaying relative currency values. The device can be economically manufactured.

Briefly described, the present invention is a folded, wallet-type display of relative currency values involving at least two different currencies. Typically, the display is made of plastic and of a size adapted to be carried in a suitcoat pocket. The display consists of first and second leaves which are foldably connected to each other along one of their margins. The front or first leaf contains a display window which may be divided into several individual panes. The display window is associated with fixed indicia of at least one unit of a first currency (e.g. marked as one dollar U.S.).

Located between the folded leaves is at least one currency strip that is removably attachable to the inner face of the top or front leaf. This currency strip is marked with fixed indicia of a plurality of units of a currency different from that shown on the outer face of the front cover. The currency strip is capable of being moved behind the display window to align indicia on the currency strip with the fixed indicia on the outer face of the front leaf. In this manner, the current rate of exchange can be made to appear in the display window (e.g. one dollar U.S. equals 2.4 Deutsch Marks). If desired, more than one currency strip can be used at any one time to thereby simultaneously indicate several exchange rates involving more than two currencies. This can be accomplished by comparing values on adjacent strips with one another or by comparing values on the strips to those printed on the front leaf.

If currency conversion is desired rather than merely the current exchange rate, the fixed indicia associated with the display window can be expanded to show a plurality of units of one currency on a logarithmic scale and the fixed indicia on the currency strip can also be arranged on a corresponding logarithmic scale so that units of one currency can be converted by direct visual comparison with units of a different currency in determining, for example, the relative value of an item priced in a foreign market.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display of the present invention as seen from the front.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside of the display showing two currency strips in position and other currency strips in storage.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the display of FIG. 1 showing a window divided into two separate panes for purposes of displaying information contained on two currency strips.

FIG. 4 shows the front side of a currency strip including two adhesive areas.

FIG. 5 shows the reverse side of a currency strip.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment in which enlarged display windows are used in conjunction with additional fixed indicia on the front face of the display for purposes of allowing currency conversion by direct visual comparison.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in FIG. 1, the display of the present invention, generally designated by the numeral 1, comprises first and second leaves 2 and 3 which are joined together along one marginal edge 4 so as to form a foldable, wallet-type display. Although other shapes can be used, it is preferred that the display 1 be made from rectangular leaves, desirably of a semi-rigid plastic sheet. Display 1 can be formed of two separate leaves 2 and 3 joined together along marginal edge 4 by any suitable means (eg adhesive tape) or leaves 2 and 3 can be made from a folded unitary piece of plastic. If desired, various means (not shown) can be used to retain leaves 2 and 3 in a folded face-to-face relationship.

A display window generally indicated by the numeral 5 is provided in the top leaf 2. As shown in FIG. 1, display window 5 is divided into two separate panes, (each designated by the numeral 6), for purposes of displaying information contained on two separate currency strips which are hereinafter described.

As is shown in FIG. ll, fixed indicia of a first currency appear on the outer face of leaf 2 adjacent display window 5 for the purpose of providing a reference point. As an example, fixed indicia of a single unit of U.S. currency has been shown (i.e. one dollar U.S.) in FIG. 1.

The inside of display 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2. On the left side of the display, as shown in FIG. 2, two currency strips 7 and 8 are removably attached to the inner face of front leaf 2 so that information contained 3 on currency strips 7 and 8 can be seen through respective panes 6 and properly aligned with the fixed indicia on the outer face of leaf 2.

As is shown in FIG. 2, spare currency strips 9 and 10 for currencies other than the two represented by currency strips 7 and 8 can be stored on the inner face of leaf 3 until needed.

The details of the currency strips are more fully illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 4, a currency strip generally designated by the numeral 7 is provided with fastening means such as pressure sensitive adhesive pads 11 and 12 which allow currency strip 7 to be removably positioned on either leaf 2 or 3, as desired. While pressure sensitive adhesive pads are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, other means (not shown) for removably attaching the currency strips to leaf 2 or 3 may also be used. These would include the use of receiving slots (not shown) cut into leaf 2 or 3 for insertion of the ends of the currency strips. In addition, various adhesives may be applied directly to the currency strip.

As shown in FIG. 4, the currency strip (which is often made of semi-rigid plastic) has printed on its front face fixed indicia of units of a currency different from the currency shown on the outer face of leaf 2. If the purpose of the display is merely to indicate current exchange rates, the scale of units used on the front of currency strip 7 can be linear or non-linear. However, if it is desired to use the display as a true currency converter, both the fixed indicia on the outer face of leaf 2 and the fixed indicia on currency strip 7 must be on corresponding logarithmic scales so that currency conversion can be made by direct visual inspection through the window 5.

The reverse side of currency strip 7 may be blank or, more preferably, will contain information of national significance to the country whose currency appears on the front side of that same currency strip 7. Such information of national significance can include information concerning the various currency subdivisions (e.g. bills and coins), corresponding clothing sizes, etc.

Additional currency strips will ordinarily be available to the user of the present display which will be similar in construction to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 except that the currency and related information of national significance will vary from country to country.

Use of the Present Display When it is desired to use the present display merely to illustrate current exchange rates between two or more currencies, the fixed indicia on the outer face of leaf 2 will ordinarily refer to a single unit of the travelers most familiar currency (e.g. one dollar U.S.). Then, the appropriate currency strips for countries being visited will be positioned behind a pane 6 of window 5. The currency strip will be moved upwardly or downwardly until the current exchange rate appears opposite the fixed indicia on the outer face of leaf 2. Then, the currency strip will be fastened in place by pressing adhesive areas 1 l and 12 against the inner face of leaf 2. Typically, the window will contain only one or two panes although additional panes may be used if desired depending, of course, on the size of the display.

When it is desired to use the display as a currency converter, the display windows will be substantially larger so as to permit fixed indicia to be printed on the outer face of leaf 2 according to a logarithmic scale. In this instance, the corresponding indicia on the appropriate currency strips must also be printed on a corresponding logarithmic scale. Once again, each currency strip will be positioned behind its respective window so that the appropriate rate of exchange is properly indicated. However, because a plurality of units will appear on the outer face of leaf 2, and because a corresponding plurality of units of the local currency will appear in one of the panes 6, one currency can easily be converted into another currency by direct visual inspection.

What is claimed is:

l. A folded, wallet-type display of relative currency values which is operable to convert values of at least two different currencies as exchange rates vary, said display comprising:

a. only first and second opaque leaves, each leaf having a lateral edge and a bottom edge, said leaves being pivotally connected to each other along only one lateral edge thereof to form a two-leaf booklet;

b. at least one opaque elongated currency strip having a bottom edge and a lateral edge, said bottom and lateral edges being essentially perpendicular to one another and said currency strip bottom edge being substantially narrower than the bottom edge of said opaque leaves, said currency strip being marked with indicia of a plurality of units of a second currency, said indicia arranged only in a single row progressing along the length of said strip parallel to said strip lateral edge;

c. said first leaf containing at least one display opening which is fixedly positioned in said first leaf and which has a width generally limited to the width of the currency indicia row on said currency strip, said display opening allowing a portion of a currency strip positioned therebeneath to be exposed to the outer face of said first leaf, each of said display openings being positioned only laterally from one another along a direction generally parallel to said leaf bottom edge;

d. said first leaf being marked with fixed indicia of at least one unit of a first currency, said indicia located on the outer face of said first leaf generally adjacent to a lateral edge of said display opening; and

e. means for attaching said currency strip to said leaf containing said display opening so as to allow said currency strip to be operably movable only in a direction parallel to the lateral edge of said leaf and to allow at least a portion of said strip to be exposed in said display opening when said first leaf is positioned over said second leaf to allow selective matching of two currency indicia through said opening, said matching currency indicia corresponding to the prevailing exchange rate between the first and second currencies.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein said fixed indicia on said outer face of said first leaf represent only a single unit of said first currency.

3. The display of claim 2 wherein printed information of national significance is positioned on the side of each of said currency strip opposite the side on which the currency indicia of the corresponding country appear.

4. The display of claim 2 wherein there are at least two currency strips, each containing currency indicia for a separate country, and wherein there are at least two display openings positioned in said first leaf in a generally side-by-side arrangement, thereby allowing the currencies of more than two countries to be simultaneously compared.

3,914,889 5. A folded, wallet-type display of relative currency values which is operable to convert numerous currency values of at least two different currencies as exchange rates vary, said display comprising:

a. only first and second opaque leaves, each leaf hav- 5 6 said elongated display opening, said indicia representing a plurality of units of said first currency arranged according to a selected logarithmic scale and extending generally along the length of said window opening;

ing a lateral edge and a bottom edge, said leaves being pivotally connected to each other along only one lateral edge thereof to form a two-leaf booklet;

b. at least one opaque elongated currency strip have. said fixed indicia on said currency strip being arranged in a logarithmic scale, said logarithmic scale corresponding to the logarithmic scale of said outer leaf so that units of the one currency can be coning a bottom edge and a lateral edge, said bottom 10 verted to units of the second currency by direct viand lateral edges being essentially perpendicular to sual comparison of adjacent currency indicia when one another and said currency strip bottom edge said currency strip is moved to a suitable position being substantially narrower than the bottom edge with respect to said indicia on the outer leaf face; of said opaque leaves, said currency strip being f. means for attaching said currency strip to said leaf marked with indicia of a plurality of units of a seccontaining said display opening so as to allow said ond currency, said indicia arranged only in a single currency strip to be movable in a direction parallel row progressing along the length of said strip gento the lateral edge of said leaf and to allow at least erally parallel to said strip lateral edge; a portion of said strip to be exposed in said display said first leaf containing at least one display openopening when said first leaf is positioned over said ing which is elongated generally parallel to the latsecond leaf thereby allowing the indicia on the exeral edge of said leaf and which is fixedly posiposed portion of said currency strip to be alined tioned in said first leaf and which has a width limwith the fixed indicia on the outer face of said first ited to the width of the currency indicia row on said leaf such that selective matching of two currency currency strip, said display opening allowing a porindicia through said opening may be accomplished, tion of a currency strip positioned therebeneath to said matching currency indicia corresponding to be exposed to the outer face of said first leaf, each the prevailing exchange rate between the first and of said display openings being positioned only latsecond currencies; erally from one another along a direction generally 6. The display of claim 5 wherein there are at least parallel to said leaf bottom edge; two currency strips and at least two elongated window d. said first leaf being marked with fixed indicia of at openings, each of said openings being parallel to one least one unit of a first currency, said indicia loanother and spaced laterally apart from one another cated on the outer face of said first leaf generally allowing the direct conversion of at least three different adjacent a side edge of said display opening and currencies. along a line generally parallel to the side edge of 

1. A folded, wallet-type display of relative currency values which is operable to convert values of at least two different currencies as exchange rates vary, said display comprising: a. only first and second opaquE leaves, each leaf having a lateral edge and a bottom edge, said leaves being pivotally connected to each other along only one lateral edge thereof to form a two-leaf booklet; b. at least one opaque elongated currency strip having a bottom edge and a lateral edge, said bottom and lateral edges being essentially perpendicular to one another and said currency strip bottom edge being substantially narrower than the bottom edge of said opaque leaves, said currency strip being marked with indicia of a plurality of units of a second currency, said indicia arranged only in a single row progressing along the length of said strip parallel to said strip lateral edge; c. said first leaf containing at least one display opening which is fixedly positioned in said first leaf and which has a width generally limited to the width of the currency indicia row on said currency strip, said display opening allowing a portion of a currency strip positioned therebeneath to be exposed to the outer face of said first leaf, each of said display openings being positioned only laterally from one another along a direction generally parallel to said leaf bottom edge; d. said first leaf being marked with fixed indicia of at least one unit of a first currency, said indicia located on the outer face of said first leaf generally adjacent to a lateral edge of said display opening; and e. means for attaching said currency strip to said leaf containing said display opening so as to allow said currency strip to be operably movable only in a direction parallel to the lateral edge of said leaf and to allow at least a portion of said strip to be exposed in said display opening when said first leaf is positioned over said second leaf to allow selective matching of two currency indicia through said opening, said matching currency indicia corresponding to the prevailing exchange rate between the first and second currencies.
 2. The display of claim 1 wherein said fixed indicia on said outer face of said first leaf represent only a single unit of said first currency.
 3. The display of claim 2 wherein printed information of national significance is positioned on the side of each of said currency strip opposite the side on which the currency indicia of the corresponding country appear.
 4. The display of claim 2 wherein there are at least two currency strips, each containing currency indicia for a separate country, and wherein there are at least two display openings positioned in said first leaf in a generally side-by-side arrangement, thereby allowing the currencies of more than two countries to be simultaneously compared.
 5. A folded, wallet-type display of relative currency values which is operable to convert numerous currency values of at least two different currencies as exchange rates vary, said display comprising: a. only first and second opaque leaves, each leaf having a lateral edge and a bottom edge, said leaves being pivotally connected to each other along only one lateral edge thereof to form a two-leaf booklet; b. at least one opaque elongated currency strip having a bottom edge and a lateral edge, said bottom and lateral edges being essentially perpendicular to one another and said currency strip bottom edge being substantially narrower than the bottom edge of said opaque leaves, said currency strip being marked with indicia of a plurality of units of a second currency, said indicia arranged only in a single row progressing along the length of said strip generally parallel to said strip lateral edge; c. said first leaf containing at least one display opening which is elongated generally parallel to the lateral edge of said leaf and which is fixedly positioned in said first leaf and which has a width limited to the width of the currency indicia row on said currency strip, said display opening allowing a portion of a currency strip positioned therebeneath to be exposed to the outer face of said first leaf, each of said display openings being positioned only lateralLy from one another along a direction generally parallel to said leaf bottom edge; d. said first leaf being marked with fixed indicia of at least one unit of a first currency, said indicia located on the outer face of said first leaf generally adjacent a side edge of said display opening and along a line generally parallel to the side edge of said elongated display opening, said indicia representing a plurality of units of said first currency arranged according to a selected logarithmic scale and extending generally along the length of said window opening; e. said fixed indicia on said currency strip being arranged in a logarithmic scale, said logarithmic scale corresponding to the logarithmic scale of said outer leaf so that units of the one currency can be converted to units of the second currency by direct visual comparison of adjacent currency indicia when said currency strip is moved to a suitable position with respect to said indicia on the outer leaf face; f. means for attaching said currency strip to said leaf containing said display opening so as to allow said currency strip to be movable in a direction parallel to the lateral edge of said leaf and to allow at least a portion of said strip to be exposed in said display opening when said first leaf is positioned over said second leaf thereby allowing the indicia on the exposed portion of said currency strip to be alined with the fixed indicia on the outer face of said first leaf such that selective matching of two currency indicia through said opening may be accomplished, said matching currency indicia corresponding to the prevailing exchange rate between the first and second currencies;
 6. The display of claim 5 wherein there are at least two currency strips and at least two elongated window openings, each of said openings being parallel to one another and spaced laterally apart from one another allowing the direct conversion of at least three different currencies. 